Why I Love the Great Hymns
I knew a circuit rider who discipled me in the early days of my ministry. I speak of a man who began riding a circuit horseback. He was asked to present a baccalaureate message for a graduating class. The title of his message was, “When you know a good song, why do you sing a bad one?”
Each time modernistic church music is played that sermon returns to memory. A great deal of it is shallow and much it lacks depth of scriptural genuineness. Songs are akin to prayers. God hears all of them and answers them. If it were not for the Holy Spirit who presents them before the Father we would suffer a great lack (Romans 8: 27). The Son saves, the Spirit teaches all things and calls them to remembrance and the Father is the Great Author of it all.
Little children love simple songs that express simple truth. Mature adults find the same love more refined in the time proven great hymns of the faith. Both are are loved of the Father.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (I Corinthians 13:11). As a Christian grows in grace by faith “he put away childish things.” Growing in scriptural knowledge and wisdom brings more and greater blessings from God.
Growing in grace brings spiritual maturity. Childish things pass away with maturity. One should never lose the simple childish trust in the heavenly father; but, he should reach for the highest peak of spiritual maturity he is able. He should give his best for his Lord highest glory. As the poet has said, “or what’s a heaven for?”
Great hymns, the kind you find in those old, dusty, worn out hymnals are works of love. They are written not to promote worship of God, but as personal expressions of worship for God. They are modern versions of David’s Psalms.
I am concerned that these great treasures are being drowned out by modern compositions and are being relegated to a status of “old fashioned” and out of date. Popular culture looks on them as nothing more than folk-art; reminders of a parochial time long passed.
“Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).
While suffering from great apprehension over a physical, mental and spiritual difficulty the score one of these old hymns came to me over Pandora radio. This particular piece was strictly instrumental. The lyrics were added by my memory and as the musician played the score my inner voice sang along.
To me it was a wonderful, blessed message from God. A message of the grace he bestows on those who put their complete trust in Him. This simple, small thing demonstrated his infinite care to me. His love – which is grace, mercy and forgiveness – was exhibited in both the memories and the meaning of the lyrics.
This is the reason many who seek God are disappointed. The peace of God comes as a Christian applies the Word to his circumstances. If we do not seek the Word in a disciplined, continual manner we lose out. “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
God arranges the all the circumstances of a Christian to prove Himself and demonstrate His love. “Look, look for the rainbow” it is God’s “bow in the heavens” (Genesis 9: 13) As a Christian “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids [scolds] not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Like pieces of a great cosmic puzzle as one “searches” scripture things large and small “come together to make one grand panoramic picture of the infinite, unconditional love, care and grace of God.
Ask ye what great thing I know, That delights and stirs me so? What the high reward I win? Whose the Name I glory in? Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
What is faith’s foundation strong? What awakes my heart to song? He Who bore my sinful load, Purchased for me peace with God, Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
Who is He that makes me wise To discern where duty lies? Who is He that makes me true Duty, when discerned to do, Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
Who defeats my fiercest foes? Who consoles my saddest woes? Who revives my fainting heart, Healing all its hidden smart? Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
Who is life in life to me? Who the death of death will be? Who will place me on His right, With the countless hosts of light? Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
This is that great thing I know; This delights and stirs me so; Faith in Him Who died to save, Him Who triumphed over the grave: Jesus Christ, the Crucified.1
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed [fixed] on you: because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3).
- Words by Johann C. Schwedler; published posthumously in Hirschberger Gesangbuch, 1741 – Wollt ihr wissen, was mein Preis? (Do you know what my price?) Translated from German to English by Benjamin H. Kennedy in Hymnologia Christiana, or Psalms and Hymns Selected and Arranged in the Order of the Christian Seasons, 1863].
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